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Tag: Mike Norman

Old Town Tram picking up steam

Old Town Tram picking up steam

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – The Old Town Tram continues to make progress in ridership, route consistency and advertising revenues.

The Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) contracts Joshua LaRose and his Sarasota-based EasyParking Group to provide two electric trams, the tram drivers and the support services for the park-and-ride shuttle program. The pilot program is an attempt to address the lack of parking that exists in and around the Bridge Street area.

With a financial commitment of slightly more than $100,000, the CRA-funded one-year pilot program for a park-and-ride shuttle service was launched in November. The program currently employs two electric trams in the CRA district, which extends from the Cortez Bridge to Fifth Street South. As part of the designated route, the trams also travel outside of the CRA district boundaries to transport passengers who park in the county-owned Cortez Beach parking lot along the west side of Gulf Drive, from Fifth Street South to 13th Street South.

The pilot program encourages visitors to park at Cortez Beach and elsewhere in the CRA district and utilize the free tram service to get to and from the businesses and attractions along Bridge Street and elsewhere in the CRA district. The tram route also encompasses the parking areas near the Bradenton Beach police station and the Bradenton Beach Marina, at city hall after normal business hours, along Bridge Street and near the Bridge Street Pier.

Ridership and revenues

While attending the Wednesday, June 2 CRA meeting by phone, LaRose said the Old Town Trams provided 4,393 rides in May, and 737 of those rides were to or from the Cortez Beach parking area. He said the peak ridership was on Sundays, Wednesdays, Saturdays and Fridays.

At the end of each month, LaRose submits an invoice to the CRA for the monthly services provided. The invoices average approximately $9,000 per month before the advertising revenues generated by signage placed on the trams are deducted. LaRose receives the advertising revenues directly and deducts those revenues from the monthly payment sought from the CRA.

The May invoice totaled $9,200. The amount to be paid by the CRA was $6,225 after the subtraction of $2,975 in advertising revenues. LaRose said he expects to receive an additional $1,800 to $1,900 in June when the Bridge Tender Inn, the Bradenton Beach merchants group and an unnamed ice cream shop join the existing tram advertisers.

LaRose said the anticipated addition of those three new advertisers and securing additional advertisers to fill the remaining ad spaces would produce advertising revenues that would cover approximately 85-90% of the tram program’s total monthly operating costs. If that happens, The Old Town Tram program would be close to achieving the financial self-sufficiency envisioned by the CRA members when they approved the pilot program.

“Congratulations CRA board,” CRA member Ed Chiles said of the progress being made.

Call for a ride

LaRose said the direct phone line available for those seeking rides generated 1,045 calls hailing rides in May. That’s in addition to the riders who simply grab a ride when a tram passes by every seven to 15 minutes or so. To arrange a free ride within the CRA district, call 941-404-6240.

Old Town Tram program making progress
The tram route map is posted at the Old Town Tram website. – EasyParking Group | Submitted

The Old Town Trams operate from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday. On Sunday, the service stops at 9 p.m. The route map and more information can be found at the Old Town Tram website.

Banner criticism

During Wednesday’s meeting, the CRA members briefly discussed a text message Mayor John Chappie and others received from Bradenton Beach resident and business owner Mike Norman. Norman’s text pertained to the tram banner installed earlier this year at the intersection of Gulf Drive and Cortez Road. Additional banners were placed near the Cortez Beach parking area and near the east end of the Cortez Bridge.

Old Town Tram program making progress
This Old Town Tram banner is located at the Cortez Road/Gulf Drive intersection. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

In his text message, Norman referred to the banner design as “stupid.”

“It says ‘park and ride.’ Park where? Ride where?” Norman stated in his text message that also questioned who came up with the banner design.

Norman’s text message included a sketch for a sign he feels would be more informative. His sketch features the words “Plenty of free parking” with an arrow pointing south. Below that, appear the words, “At Coquina Bch. Ride the Free Tram to Bridge St.”

Old Town Tram program making progress
Bradenton Beach resident Mike Norman suggested this design for future tram banners or signs. – Mike Norman | Submitted

The trams are authorized to travel all the way to Coquina Beach, but the demand for rides that far south has thus far been low, according to LaRose.

Regarding the banners, City Attorney Ricinda Perry said she, LaRose, BridgeWalk resort owner Angela Rodocker and Rodocker’s husband worked on the banner design at no cost to the city. She also noted Rodocker placed that same design and information on a billboard along Cortez Road at no cost to the city.

“This was the decision the board went with based upon on all of that labor,” Perry said of the banner design. “We have at least one individual who feels it’s not directing folks to where the tram is actually located, and he does not care for the look of the banner that’s out there.”

Perry referenced Norman’s proposed sign design and said his suggestions could be taken into consideration if and when the CRA members decide to install permanent tram signs.

“If it’s working right now, we need to just leave it, and down the line maybe something more permanent,” CRA Chair Ralph Cole said.

County Commission authorizes removal of six Australian pines

County Commission authorizes removal of six Australian pines

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON – Six Australian pines will be removed from the Coquina Beach parking lot for now and a comprehensive project report will be presented to Manatee County Commissioners on Tuesday, June 18.

County Administrator Cheri Coryea provided this update at the beginning of the commission’s Thursday, June 6, land use meeting. Her update pertained to the 102 Australian pines recently slated for removal as part of the county’s two-phase Coquina Beach parking and stormwater drainage project.

County Commission authorizes removal of six Australian pines
County Administrator Cheri Coryea requests the removal of six Australian pine trees. – Submitted

“We have an urgent matter we need to address. As you know, we’re reviewing the project of the Coquina drainage. We have received a recent update on some additional trees we may need to remove, but we don’t have all of those details. I’m here this morning to ask the board if we can move forward with removing six trees,” Coryea said.

“In the original plan, there were 30 trees in that area to be removed. We’re just asking for six at this moment. The six trees in question are in the path of the next area of the stormwater drainage that must be put in,” Coryea said.

Five of the six pines being removed are located near the open space and playground at the south end of the beach park. The sixth tree is located further to the north.

County Commission authorizes removal of six Australian pines
This map illustrates the location of the six Australian pines being removed. – Manatee County | Submitted

Coryea said the Woodruff & Sons construction company is now mobilized and working, and the construction materials are also on-site.

“By doing this, we won’t have to demobilize or move materials. That would cost us a great deal and require us to move some things out in lieu of the June 18 meeting,” Coryea said.

Commissioner Priscilla Trace made the motion to authorize the removal of six trees.

Commissioner Misty Servia asked if those trees were all located in the parking area.

“Yes, and I did confirm they are six Australian pines,” Coryea said. “We’ve made a count, there are 991 Australian pines out at that location – a total of over 1,500 trees that we’ve mapped.”

Commissioner Carol Whitmore asked how much additional delays would cost the county and how it might impact sea turtle nesting season.

“That’s going to be part of your report. If we can allow them to proceed with just those six, we’ll be able to finish that small portion and it will not create a delay until after your June 18th meeting,” Coryea said.

Whitmore also mentioned an email Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie sent Coryea and the commissioners requesting the project be redesigned.

Coryea said a complete redesign is “highly unlikely.”

Commissioner Betsy Benac said she would support Trace’s motion but noted the commission needs a full picture of what’s proposed for the entire project.

“A lot of people are very concerned. People love that beach. The six trees is okay, but I’m not committing at all to what will happen. It needs a lot more input,” Benac said.

She also said she asked County Attorney Mickey Palmer to review the Woodruff & Sons contract.

Commissioner Reggie Bellamy said he talked to local businessman Ed Chiles about potential recycling opportunities and he asked if the county plans to reuse the wood from the removed trees.

“It may be an opportunity to take lemons and make lemonade,” Bellamy said.

“That’s a good idea,” Commission Chair Steve Jonsson said.

Jonsson opened the discussion to public comment but there was none – the impromptu tree discussion was not noticed in advance.

The commission voted 7-0 in support of removing the six trees.

Coryea said the June 18 report will include maps that detail the locations of trees to potentially be removed and the costs and impacts of incurring any additional delays. She said the project engineers will be on-hand for the meeting that will also provide citizens the opportunity to express their views.

County commission meetings start at 9 a.m. It is not yet known what time the tree removal discussion will occur. Meeting agendas are posted at the county website.

Public opposition

When contacted on Thursday, Chappie said, “Before the meeting on the 18th, Cheri will be meeting with me to go over what the report says.”

He also said, “I just got off the phone with Mike Norman and he’ll have 1,000 petition signatures that he’s getting to me.”

The petition signatures represent the public opposition to the tree removals. That opposition swelled after the city resident and owner of Mike Norman Realty complained to Chappie and Vice Mayor Jake Spooner after seeing Cindy Lane’s photograph and cutline in the May 22 issue of The Sun.

The concerns expressed by Norman and others prompted an emergency city commission meeting on May 24. Chappie then conveyed his commission’s concerns to county commissioners on May 28.

On Friday, Chappie hand-delivered 1010 petition signatures to Coryea and/or Jonsson.
“We the undersigned, love the Australian pines at Coquina Beach. We beseech you to come up with an alternate plan for the Coquina drainage project that does not include cutting down these majestic trees,” the petition language says.

County Commission authorizes removal of six Australian pines
Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie holds up the 1010 petition signatures discussed at the June 6 City Commission meeting. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

During the week, Chappie and Jonsson exchanged several emails regarding the Coquina Beach project.

On Monday, June 3, Jonsson sent Chappie an email that said, “Do you think Bradenton Beach, perhaps the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency), would be interested in putting some money towards any redesign work if we go that way?”

After discussing that possibility with the CRA on June 5 and the City Commission on June 6, Chappie is authorized to pursue that possibility if it’s given county consideration.

Related Coverage

Proposed Tree Removals Delayed

County’s Plan to Remove Coquina Beach Trees Meets Opposition

County’s plan to remove Coquina Beach trees meets opposition

County’s plan to remove Coquina Beach trees meets opposition

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Awards, Awards 2020, Bradenton Beach, Community News, Manatee County, Special Sections, Third Place.

BRADENTON BEACH – City commissioners are surprised and dismayed to learn that Manatee County plans to remove up to 120 Australian pine trees from the south end of the Coquina Beach parking area.

The proposed tree removals are part of the first phase of a two-phase stormwater and drainage improvement project that includes paving the beach parking lots with permeable materials.

Third Place
Local Government Reporting
2020

 

In response to calls received from city resident Mike Norman and others, Mayor John Chappie scheduled an emergency city commission meeting on Friday, May 24. The 45-minute session ended with Chappie being authorized to send County Administrator Cheri Coryea a letter expressing the commission’s concerns. The letter will include a request for county representatives to come before the commission to explain the county’s plans regarding tree removal and tree replacement.

Chappie said he’s heard that the number of trees to be removed has jumped from 30 to 60 to 120.

“We’ve had several residents that are up in arms. We understand they are invasive trees, but they have been a part of our community for decades. They provide a lot of shade. I’m very concerned with the increase in the number of healthy trees they say they’re going to remove,” Chappie said.

Chappie said when Norman called him he called Coryea.

“When she saw the number of trees to be removed she kind of pulled the reins back to slow it down so she would have time to inform the county commissioners what is happening here,” Chappie said.

County’s plan to remove Coquina Beach trees meets opposition
The current plans call for these trees to be removed to accommodate drainage improvements. – John Chappie | Submitted

Chappie said Coryea planned to discuss this matter with county commissioners on Tuesday. He added he does not recall tree removal being part of the plans the county submitted to the city when seeking a city-issued building permit. He also noted the city gave the county a substantial break on its permitting fees.

“I feel like we need to pump the brakes a little bit, look at the alternatives and see what else can be done,” said Bradenton Beach City Commissioner Jake Spooner. “It’s a beautiful forest down there.”

Spooner said the trees provide shade for humans and habitat for birds and animals. He also pointed out that they are part of the tree canopy that earned Bradenton Beach its Tree City USA designation. He suggested reconfiguring the project to reduce the need for tree removal.

“I would suggest going to the county and the guiding light should be save the trees, and everything flows below that.”
– Mike Norman, Bradenton Beach resident

Spooner said he called Manatee County Public Works Project Manager Michael Sturm after receiving calls from Norman and several other residents and Sturm suggested residents contact him directly. Sturm’s email address is Michael.Sturm@mymanatee.org.

The project engineers and designers need to explain to the commission their plans and potential alternatives, the commissioner said. If trees must be removed, he said he’d like them replaced with mature trees.

“I think it’s been 15 years since those gumbos were planted on the causeway and they’re still not where you can park a car under them and get some nice shade,” he said.

He said people park under the trees at Coquina Beach so their cars aren’t so hot when they return from the beach.

County’s plan to remove Coquina Beach trees meets opposition
This sign designates the construction area at the south end of the Coquina Beach parking lot. – Jake Spooner | Submitted

“I was really caught off guard by this. Thank goodness it was in The Sun and Mr. Norman called me and we’re able to at least try to do something to save them,” Spooner said of the photograph published in last week’s Sun.

County’s plan to remove Coquina Beach trees meets opposition
More than 100 Australian pines are targeted for removal on Coquina Beach. This photo in The Sun brought the plan to the attention of Bradenton Beach officials. – Cindy Lane | Sun

Commissioner Ralph Cole said he was unaware of the county’s plans and shocked by the number of trees slated for removal.

“I can’t believe they were going to remove all the shade. I could see if you had to remove some or thin out some to put a pathway through, but not removing all of them,” Cole said.

City Commissioner Marilyn Maro said the city should have been informed of the county’s plans.

“I didn’t know anything about this. The people have voiced their opinion and I think they should voice more of their opinions. Something is missing in the puzzle here,” she said.

Additional input

County’s plan to remove Coquina Beach trees meets opposition
Several Australian pines now bear a red X that designates their planned removal. – Jake Spooner | Submitted

“People on this Island don’t want those trees cut down,” Norman told the commission. “I would suggest going to the county and the guiding light should be save the trees, and everything flows below that. Task the engineers with Plan B. If you can’t figure it out, find some engineers that can because there has to be a better way of doing this.”

City resident and planning and zoning board member John Burns noted the city’s land development code does not require a permit to remove Australian pines. He suggested asking the county’s arborist what measures could be taken to preserve as many as possible.

“It is nice to have some shade down there and I don’t care whether it’s invasive shade,” Burns said.

Before receiving unanimous commission support to send a letter to Coryea, Chappie echoed Norman’s comments and said, “The guiding light needs to be saving the Australian pine trees.”

Related coverage:

 

Proposed tree removals delayed

 

City to county: ‘Not so fast’ on tree removal

 

County commission approves Coquina Beach tree removals

 

County submits Coquina Beach tree replacement plan

 

Pines plague parking project

 

More Australian pine removals at Coquina

 

County Commission authorizes removal of six Australian pines